Eagles Injury Report: Corey Graham among five players who did not practice

The Philadelphia Eagles released their first official injury report on Wednesday ahead of their Week 3 game against the New York Giants.

A total of five Eagles players did not practice: cornerback Ronald Darby, safety Rodney McLeod, safety Jaylen Watkins, safety Corey Graham, and defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao.

The big news is that Graham sat out due to a hamstring injury. Graham was listed “questionable” on the Eagles’ final injury report heading into Week 2 due to the hamstring but he played anyway.

The Eagles really need Graham because he’s the top backup to McLeod, who is reportedly expected to miss a few weeks or so. Graham’s backup would normally be Watkins, but he’s also reportedly expected to be out for a few games.

So that leaves the Eagles with Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Maragos as the potential starting safeties for Sunday’s Eagles-Giants game. Maragos is a great special teams player, but he’s not an ideal starter on the back end.

Outside of Jenkins and Maragos, the only other healthy safety on Philadelphia’s roster is the recently claimed Trae Elston. Elston will only have two full days of practice before Sunday’s game so it’s hard to imagine he’ll have a big role.

In the event of an emergency, the Eagles might have to turn to playing the 6-2, 220 pound Kamu Grugier-Hill at safety. He played a hybrid safety/linebacker role in college.

In other injury news, Ronald Darby is still three-to-five weeks away from returning, assuming the original timeline is correct. The absence of Watkins likely means that Jalen Mills and Rasul Douglas will start at outside cornerback. Douglas played well after being thrust in the Chiefs game on Sunday but he’s still far from a proven starter.

It seems like Elijah Qualls could be active as the Eagles’ fourth defensive tackle once again with Vaeao still not practicing.

Four Giants players sat out of practice on Wednesday. Three of them are starters: cornerback Janoris Jenkins, right tackle Bobby Hart, and middle linebacker B.J. Goodson.

Jenkins is New York’s best corner. He was a big part of why the Giants had a strong defense last season.

The absence of Hart would hurt a New York offensive line that’s already not very good to begin with.

Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was limited in practice. OBJ only played about 60% of the Giants’ offensive snaps so it’s clear he’s not fully healthy yet.

Rookie tight end Evan Engram was placed in the concussion protocol as a “precaution.” He’ll need to be independently cleared before he can play on Sunday.

Keep in mind the Giants are operating on a short week after losing to the Lions on Monday Night Football.

Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report (Wednesday)

Did Not Participate

CB Ronald Darby (ankle)
S Rodney McLeod (hamstring)
S Corey Graham (hamstring)
S Jaylen Watkins (hamstring)
DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist)

Full Participation

DE Brandon Graham (triceps)
CB Jalen Mills (thumb)
LB Najee Goode (forearm)

New York Giants Injury Report (Wednesday)

Did Not Participate

LB B.J. Goodson (shin)
RT Bobby Hart (ankle)
CB Janoris Jenkins (ankle)
LB J.T. Thomas (groin)

Limited Participation

WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle)
TE Evan Engram (concussion)
LB Keenan Robinson (concussion)